Safety razor



June 5, 1934. M. B. BEHRMAN SAFETY RAZOR Filed April 3. 1930 ,if 1.lr/ 1. $5515 Patented June- 5, 1934 UNITED STATES SAFETY RAZOR MarcusB. Behrman, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to American Safety RazorCorporation, Brooklyn, N. Y., a, corporation of Virginia ApplicationApril 3, 1930, Serial No. 441,211

s 10 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to razors, and has particularreference to a safety razor, and, coordinately, to a safety razor blade.

A general object of my invention is to provide a safety razor devicewherein the advantageous features of a blade-stop engagement with thecutting edge of a blade 4are achieved. In other words, it is well knownthat a razor will shave With maximum efficiency only when the cuttingedge of the blade is properly positioned in a predetermined manner inassociation with a guard edge; and such positioning is efficientlyeffected by associating blade stops with the guard edge to permit thecutting edge of the blade to abut against them.

From one aspect, therefore, my present invention relates to a razorassembly in which the shaving or cutting edge of a blade is movable withrelationship to a blade seat or saddle. One

object of my invention is to provide for the ernployment of a bladehaving a plurality of shaving edges, and, more particularly, a so-calleddoubleedged blade in which two oppositely arranged cutting edges may beselectively employed.

More particularly, my invention relates to a type of razor constructionwherein a blade-seat is cooperable with a cover member or clamp betweenwhich the blade may be positioned with its shaving edge or edges inproper operative association with guard edges. One of the features of myinvention lies in providing for a coactive operation, whereby twocutting edges of a blade may be simultaneously moved relatively to apair of guard edges.

From another aspect, my invention relates to a wafer-type blade providedwith certain abutment walls or edges which permit the same to beengaged, centered, and adjusted in a contemplated manner, and providedfurther with apertures and 'openings which permit proper cooperationbetween the several portions of the razor.

- More particularly, it is a feature of my invention to provide a bladehaving at least one cutting edge and one lateral or side edge, the bladebeing provided with a recess which defines a pair of abutment wallssubstantially parallel to, and a pair' of abutment walls substantiallyperpendicular to, said cutting edge, said blade being also provided withan opening adjacent to said edge and communicating with the latter topermit cooperation, through said opening, of portions of the razor, and,more particularly, a locking plug.

. In the embodiment herein illustrated by way of example, a double-edgedblade is provided with a pair of recesses on its opposite side edges,each recess defining the abutment walls above mentioned, andcommunicating with an opening through which a locking plug is adapted topass. The razor which I have shown to exemplify my invention is providedwith two opposed guard edges so constructed as to be movable toward oneanother, each guard edge having blade stops adapted to abut against acutting edge of a blade. It is therefore a feature of my presentinvention to provide a blade seat with two separate and opposed sectionsrelatively movable with respect to each other. In the form hereinillustrated, these sections are normally spaced and are adapted toapproach each other by proper manipulation of a handle or the like.

Anothergeneral object of my invention is to Aprovide a razorconstruction ofthe foregoing character wherein means are provided forsuccessively clamping'a blade in position and thereupon moving bladestops into abutment with the cutting edges of the blade. Thus, where theblade seat has a generally upward-convex configuration, my presentinvention provides for assured ilexure of the blade onto the seat andalso for abutment of the cutting edges and blade stops.

A more particular feature of my invention lies in providing means,preferably in the form of a locking plug or the like, for positivelypreventing movement of the blade seat sections toward one another untilafter the blade has been clamped or flexed; said means serving also tolock the clamping means when the razor is ready for use.

Another general object of my invention is to provide a razorconstruction wherein the cutting edge is provided with an improvedcontour, and more particularly, with a curved contour, the razor withwhich such a blade is associated being provided with a guard edgeembodying a similar and conformable contour.

The present application is in part a continuation of my co-pendingapplication No. 399,923, led October 3, 1928.

For the attainment of the foregoing objects and such other objects asmay hereinafter appear or be pointed out, I have constructed a deviceembodying the features of my invention and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing,l wherein- Figure 1 is an exploded view of one formof safety razor embodying the features of my present invention;

Figure 2 is an end view, a portion being shown in cross-section and aportion being broken away;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional View taken substantially along the line3-3 of Figure 2;

Figures 4, 5, and 6 are cross-sectional views taken substantially alongthe line 4-*4 of Figure 3 and showing diierent relative positions of theparts;

Figure 'I is a plan view of a modified form of blade and thecorresponding guard edge; and

Figures 8 and 9 are views similar to Figure 7, showing furthermodifications.

' In the embodiment herein chosen for illustration, I have shown agenerally upward-convex blade seat 10 mounted upon a handle l1, thisseat being adapted to receive a double-edged blade 12 and a cover 13.The blade seat 10 is provided with the two opposed seat sections 14 and15, a guard edge 16 being provided on the section 14, and a similarguard edge 17 being provided on the section 15. Blade stops 18 areprovided on the guard edge 16, and blade stops 19 on the guard edge 17.

The sections 14 and 15 are normally in slightly spaced relationship,and, as a result, a passageway which may be termed a slot 20 extendssubstantiallyparallel to the two guard edges 16 and 17 and midwaybetween. them.

The blade seat is provided with the recesses 21 for a purpose presentlyto be described; and at the midportion of the seat the slot 20 mergeswith the medial opening 22 which is in alignment with the axis of thehandle 11.

The blade 12 is provided with a cutting edge 23 adapted to overlie theguard edge 16, and with an opposite cutting edge 24 adapted to overliethe guard edge 17. I have also shown the blade provided with a medialaperture 25 adapted to overlie the opening 22.

The blade is also provided with opposite 1at' eral edges 26 and 27, andin each of these edges.

I have provided recesses and openings which dei'ine abutment walls of aparticular character andl arrangement. For example, lit will be observedthat I have shown a recess in the edge 26 which defines a pair ofabutment walls 28 and 29 substantially parallel to the cutting edges 23and 24. The recess also defines a pair of substantially v I provide anopening which is adapted to permit passage therethrough of a lockingplug presently to be described. A This last-mentioned opening has beenshown in a form which is defined by a pair of spaced walls 32 and 33which are substantially parallel to the cutting edges 23 and 24. It isto be noted that the opening denedvby the walls 30 and 33 is incommunication with the side edge 26 of the blade, and may be termed arecess which extends inwardly from the juxtaposed ends of the alignedabutment walls 30 and 31.

In the embodiment illustrated, I have shown a similar arrangement ofabutment walls and openings in the midportion of the lateral edge 27.Each set of abutment walls is adapted to overlie the recesses 21previously mentioned. When so positioned, the opening between the'wall's32 and 33 lies substantially over one extreme end of the slot 20; andthe same is true of the opening at the opposite side of the blade. v

'I'he cover 13 is provided with the medially depending shank 34 having athreaded portion 35 at its lower end. 'I'his shank is adapted to extenddownwardly through the aperture 25 of the blade and through the opening22 of the blade seat into the handle 11. Y

At the opposite ends of the cover 13 I provide dependencies 36 adaptedto pass downwardly l throu'ghvthe recesses in the opposite lateral edgesof the blade and through the recesses 21 of the blade seat.

Each of the projections or dependencies 36 is Y provided with awstem orlocking plug 37 which, it will be noted, is spaced from the body of thecover 13, and vthis gap is substantially equalto the thickness of theblade seat at its central portion. The locking plug"s`37ware adapted topass downwardly through the blade12, and, more particularly, through theopeningsprovided in the blade for this specific purpose. y

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, I will pintout that the seat sections 14and 15 are respectively provided with depending portions 38 and 39, thelatter merging at their lower ends in the portion 40. The portions 38and 39 are constructed to constitute a sleeve through which the shank34' may extend, and they are, furthermore, so constructed that the seatsections 14 and 15 will be resiliently movable toward each otheralthough normally spaced from each other.

The handle 11 is formed hollow and is provided with theinteriorly-threaded portion 41 adapted vto engage the threaded lower end35 of the shank 34.

The handle 11 is constructed to be inseparably associated with theportions 38 and 39 after the device has been initially assembled duringmanufacture; but at the Sametime, the handle 11 is freely rotatable withrespect to the portions 38 and 39. This I may accomplish by the mannerillustratively shown, a resilient split collar or the like 42 beingmounted in a shallow, annular channel provided on the portions 38 and39, the collar engaging within a similar shallow, annular channelprovided on the interior wall of the handle 11 slightly above theportion 41.

The portions 38 and 39 are also provided with a downwardly-convergingshoulder 43, this shoulder being adapted to coact with the upwardlydivergent, beveled, upper edge 44 of the handle 11.

I will now describe how the employment of my presenti device permits theblade l1,2 Yto be sandwiched between the seat 10 and the cover 13 sothat a manipulation of a unitary control means will thereafter operateto successively clamp the blade to the seat, ex it into conformity withthe latter, and then move the seat sections 14 and l5 toward each otherto bring the respective blade stops into abutment with respectivecutting edges.

This is most clearly illustrated in Figure 4-6. In Figure 4, the blade12 has been initially sandwichedbetween the cover 13 and the blade seat.It is to be noted that the projections 36 have passed through therecesses in the opposite lateral edges of the blade and also through therecesses 21 of the blade seat. `In Figure 4, the locking plugs 37 areshown interposed within the slot 20 of the blade seat, these lockingplugs having passed completely through the openings provided for thispurpose in the blade 12.

The handle 11 is now manipulated by rotation thereof to engage the lowerthreaded end 35 of the shank 34, and this operates to draw the cover 13downwardly onto the seat, thereby clamping the blade 12 between thecover and the seat. During this clamping operation, the'seat sections 14and 15 are prevented from moving toward each other by virtue of theinterposition between them of the locking plugs 37. These locking plugsfunction in this manner until the clamping vhas been entirely completed,and the blade thoroughly flexed into conformity with the blade seat.

` In Figure 5, I have shown the relative positions -of the parts afterthe blade has been completely exed into conformity with the seat, theplugs 37 having just moved out of interposition between cutting edges 23and 24 of the blade. It is to be noted that there is no possibility ofthe blade stops failing to encounter the blade edges, since the movementof the blade stops cannot be initiated until after the blade has beenproperly clamped onto the seat.

It is also to be noted, particularly upon reference to Figure 6, thatthe seat sections 14 and 15 are drawn together above the locking plugs37. These plugs Vare thus locked in positionsbeneath the seat andaccidental withdrawal of the cover is thus prevented. As a matter offact, the cover 13is locked to the seat, clamping the blade beneath it,and will remain locked until the handle 11 is again manipulated. Suchmanipulation of the handle 11 will serve initially to spread the seatsections and ultimately' to release the shank 34.

It .is to be particularly noted that the abutment Walls 28 and 29cooperate with the opposite edges of the projections 36 to4 preventmovement of the blade inja direction perpendicular to its cutting edges.Similarly, the aligned abutment walls 30 and 31 cooperate with the innerfaces of the projections 36 to prevent endwise shifting of the blade.Thus, the engagement of the projections 36 with the blade serve tocenter the blade and prevent rotation and shifting thereof during theclamping operation.

It is further to be noted that the openings which have been defined inthe illustrated embodiment by the opposite abutment walls 32 and 33serve the function of permitting passage therethrough of the lockingplugs 37 during the clamping operation.

In each of the blades illustrated in Figures 7, 8, and 9, I have shownthe abutment walls and openings hereinbefore referred to with respect tothe blade 12 of Figure 1. Accordingly, it will be obvious that thefeaturesof my invention as hereinbefore set forth are of equalimportance in blades of the improved character illustrated in Figures7-9. However, it Will be understood that certain of the features of theconstructions illustrated in Figures 7-9 are independent of vthefeatures hereinbefore described in connection with Figure 1.

In Figure 7, I have shown a blade 45 having the opposite cutting edges46 and 47, these cutting edges being curved toward each other andserving to render the opposite longitudinal edges of the blade slightlyconcave. At the opposite ends of each concave cutting edge arestopengaging corners 48 and 49. This blade is adapted to be employedwith a blade seat 50 of the character illustrated, this seat beingprovided with the oppositely curved guard edges 51 and 52 conformingsubstantially to the curvatures of the `edgs 46 and 47 respectively. Theguard edge 51 is provided with the blade stops 53 adapted to engage withthe corners 49 of the blade; and the guard edge 52 is provided with theblade stops 54 adapted to engage with the corners 48 of the blade.

In Figure `8, I have shown a blade 55 having a straight cutting edge 56and a scolloped cutting edge 57 opposite thereto. The edge 57 is'provided with the stop-engaging corners 58 adapted to abut with theblade stops 59 pro- 'vided upon the blade seat 60. The latter has aguard edge 61 conforming substantially to the configuration of thecutting'edge 57, and is also provided with the opposite straight guardedge 62 which cooperates with thecutting edge 56.

The guard edge 62 is provided with the blade stops 63.

In Figure 9, I have shown a blade 64 which has a concaved cutting edge65 and a convex cutting edge 66. The stop-engaging corners 67 and 68cooperate respectively with the blade stops 69 and 70 provided on theblade seat 71. The blade seat 71 has a guardv edge 72 which conforms tothe concave cutting edge 65, and a guard edge 73 which conforms to thecutting edge 66.

The configurations illustrated in Figures 7-9 are illustrative of a Widevariety cf such congurations, and the curvatures may therefore be variedto suit diifering requirements without departingfrom the spirit of myinvention. I have found that a concave cutting edge is particularlyemcient in shaving convex contours, while a convex cutting edge issimilarly of improved eiciency when shaving concave portions of thebody, as, for example, under the armpits.

I have illustratively shown each of the blade seats 50, 60, and 7l ofthe slit character described in greater detail in Figure 1, the bladesbeing in each case constructed to embody the features hereinbeforedescribed, and cooperating with the blade seats with the same eiciencyas that described in connection with Figure l. However, from certainaspects, these several features of my invention are independent of oneanother.

It will be cbvious that changes in the details herein described andillustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention maybe made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of my invention as expressed in the appended claims. It istherefore intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative,and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. In a safety razor, ablade seat comprising a pairof opposed and spaced relatively movablesections, a guard edge on each section, and blade stops on each guardedge; means for clamping a double-edged blade to said seat, means formoving said sections together to bring the blade stops into abutmentwith respective cutting edges, and means for preventing such movementuntil the blade is clamped, said last-named means comprising a pluginterposed between said sections and movable out of such interposition'as the blade is clamped.

2. In a safety razor, a blade seat comprising a pair of opposed andspaced relatively movable sections, a guard edge on each section, andblade stops on each guard edge; means for clamping a double-edged bladeto said seat, means for moving said sections togetherto bring the bladestops into abutment with respective cutting edges, and means forpreventing such movement until the blade is clamped, said last-namedmean's com' comprising a plug carried by the clamping means and arrangedto plug the space between said sections while the clamping means isfunctioning, and said plug including a portion which positions itselfbeneath the seat after the sections have been moved together, wherebythe clamping means is locked in association with the seat.

4. In a safety razor, a blade seat comprising a pair of opposed andspaced relatively movable sections, a guard edge on each section, andblade stops on each guard edge; a seat cover for clamp' ing adouble-edged blade to said seat, means for moving said sections togetherto bring the blade stops into abutment with respective cutting edges,and means for preventing such movement until the blade is clamped, saidlast-named means comprising a plug carried by the cover and arranged toenter the space between said sections and to remain in suchinterposition until the blade is thoroughly clamped.

5. In a safety razor, a blade seat comprising a pair'of opposed andspaced relatively movable sections, a guard edge on each section, andblade stops on each guard edge; a seat cover for clamping a double-edgedblade to said seat, means for moving said sections' together to bringthe blade stops into abutment with respective cutting edges, and meansfor preventing such movement until the blade is clamped, said last-namedmeans comprising a plug carried by the cover and arranged to enter thespace between said sections and to remainfin such interposition untilthe blade is thoroughly clamped, and said plug comprising a portionwhich positions itself beneath the seat after the sections have beenmoved together, whereby the cover is locked to the seat.

6. In a safety razor, a blade seat comprising a pair of opposed andspacedrelatively movable sections, a guard edge on each section, andblade stops on each guard edge; a seat cover for clamping a double-edgedblade to said seat, means for moving said sections together to bring theblade stops into abutment with respective cutting edges,

and means for 4preventing such movement until the blade is clamped, saidlast-named means com-` stops on each guard edge; a unitary control meansfor successively clamping a double-edged blade to said seat and movingsaid sections together to bring the blade stops into abutment withrespective cutting edges, and means for automatically locking saidsections against such movement until the blade is clamped.

8. In a safety razor, a blade seat comprising a pair of opposed andspaced relatively movable sections, a guard edge on each section, andblade stops on each guard edge; a unitary control means for successivelyclamping a double-edged blade to said seat .and moving said sectionstogether to bring the blade stops into abutment with respective cuttingedges, said means including a seat cover, a shank depending therefromand extending through the seat, and a control member adapted to engagesaid shank to draw the cover onto the seat; and means for preventingsaid movement of said sections until the cover is drawn firmly onto theseat.

9. In a safety razor, a blade seat comprising a pair of opposed andspaced relatively movable sections, a guard edge' on each section, andblade stops on each guard edge; a unitary control means for successivelyclamping a double-edged blade to said seat and moving said sectionstogether to bring the blade stops into abutment with respective cuttingedges, said means including a seat cover, a shank depending therefromand extending through the seat, and a control member adapted to engagesaid shank to draw the cover onto the seat; and a plug carried by thecover and adapted to remain in a position between said sections untilthe cover is drawn firmly onto the seat to clamp the blade thereto.

10. In a safety razor, a blade seat comprising a pair of opposed andspaced relatively movable sections, a guard edge on each section, andblade stops on each guard edge a unitary control means for successivelyclamping a double-edged blade to said seat and moving said sectionstogether to bring the blade stops into abutment with respective cuttingedges, said means including a seat cover, a shank depending therefromand extending through the seat, and a control member adapted to engagesaid shank to draw the cover onto the seat; and a pair of plugs carriedat spaced points by the underside of the cover and adapted to enter intoand remain in positions between saidsections until the cover has beendrawn firmly onto the seat to clamp the blade thereto.

M. B. BEHRMAN.

